Demand slicer

ABSTRACT

APPARATUS FOR SLICING FOOD PRODUCTS SUCH AS LOAVES OF LUNCHEON MEAT, FOR ARRANGING SUCH SLICES IN STACKS, AND FOR LOADING SUCH STACKS INTO RECEPTACLES THEREFOR. THE APPARATUS FUNCTIONS AUTOMATICALLY TO SUPPLY TO A LOADING STATION ONLY THE NUMBER OF STACKS REQUIRED TO SATISFY THE DEMAND OCCASIONED BY THE SUCCESSIVE DELIVERY OF RECEPTACLES TO SUCH LOADING STATION. THE APPARATUS INCLUDES A SLICING MECHANISM AND FEED MECHANISM FOR DELIVERING A PRODUCT THERETO, MEANS FOR ACCUMULATING PREDETERMINED NUMBERS OF SLICES INTO GROUPS AND FOR DISCHARGING EACH SUCH GROUP INTO A RECEPTACLE THEREFOR AT A LOADING STATION, CONVEYOR MECHANISM FOR DELIVERING A SUCCESSION OF RECEPTACLES ONE AFTER ANOTHER INTO A LOADING STATION, AND CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING A SENSOR LOCATED AT THE LOADING STATION FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A RECEPTACLE THEREAT AND IN RESPONSE TO SUCH DETECTION CAUSING THE ACCUMULATOR MECHANISM TO DISCHARGE A STACK OF SLICES THEREINTO.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Edward P. Toby 3.458968 8/1969 Gregory, Jr 53/55 pp No gg Francisco Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Filed June 6 1969 Attorney-Gardner and Zimmerman [45] Patented June 28, 1971 [73] Assignee Toby Enterprises San Francisco ABSTRACT: Apparatus for slicing food products such as loaves of luncheon meat, for arranging such slices in stacks, [54] DEMAND SUCER and for loading such stacks into receptacles therefor. The ap- 20 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs. paratus functions automatically to supply to a loading station only the number of stacks required to satisfy the demand oc- [52] U.S.CI .t 146/94, casioned by the Successive delivery f recepacles to Such 53/55 53/63 loading station. The apparatus includes a slicing mechanism [51] lltt. Cl 826d 4/46 and feed mechanism f delivering a Product thereto; means [50] Field of Search 146/94; f accumulating predetermined numbers f Slices into groups 53/55, 63 and for discharging each such group into a receptacle therefor at a loading station; conveyor mechanism for delivering a suc- [56] Reie'enw C'ted cession of receptacles one after another into a loading station; UNITED STATES PATENTS and control means including a sensor located at the loading 2,541,907 2/1951 Appling l46/94X station for detecting the presence of a receptacle thereat and 2,91 1,776 l 1/1959 Sada 53/63 in response to such detection causing the accumulator 3,204,676 9/1965 Gillman 146/94 mechanism to discharge a stack of slices thereinto.

I LOGIC 7 FEED STOP DOG Zi MODULE RELAY SOLENOlD j 3 e 4 RESET SWITCH lMPUL SE AMP STACKING 23 GRIDS RELAY 25 CLUTCH SOLENOID l CONVEYOR MECHANISM\ 7 SENSOR 20. 1] n n AMPLIFIER PATENTEDJUH28I9TI 35 7,55

SHEET 1 UF 3 LOG: FEED STOP DOG MODULE RELAY SOLENOID #3 6 4 526?; R l swm: i

COUNT MODULE I 47 CHANISM I 49- 32 RESET 6 SWITCH ,IMPULSE AMP STACKING 23 GRIDS RELAY 24 25 CLUTCH SOLENOID u\ CONVEYOR MECHANISM\ SENSOR 3 AMPLIFIER INVENTOR EDWARD R TOBY ATTORNEY Pmmfimummn 8.587.888

SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR EDWARD P. TOBY BYjLJM ATTORNFY SHEU 3 BF 3 PATENIEuJuuzs 1971 INVENTOR EDWAR D P. TOBY ATTORNEY DEMAND SLICER This invention relates to slicing apparatus and. more particularly, to apparatus for cutting a mass of material such as boneless meat products and the like into slices and for stacking such slices into groups for packaging in containers therefor.

Slicing apparatus of the type being considered is generally old, and a specific example thereof are machines used for subdividing loaves of luncheon meat into slices and for arranging such slices into stacks each constituting a predetermined number of slices. Typical instances of such machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat., No. 2,752,968 and No. 3,358,724; and as described in these patents, such machines may include a slicing head having a rotatable cutting knife or blade cyclically displaced along a predetermined path so as to engage and slice the product advanced thereto by mechanism provided for this purpose. A counter may be included so that a precise tally is provided, thereby insuring that an accurately determined number of slices is arranged in each stack thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine or apparatus ofthis general type which is operative to subdivide a product mass into slices, arrange the slices in stacks, and place the respective stacks into receptacles therefor, all automatically and in response to the demand for stacks as established by the successive delivery of receptacles to a loading station.

Still another object is that of providing an improved apparatus of the type described having product slicing mechanism and conveyor means for delivering receptacles to a loading station, and which requires no direct mechanical drive mechanical drive to maintain synchronization between the provision of stacked slices and the requirement or demand therefor at the loading station, that enables the slicing mechanism to operate at optimum slicing and stacking speeds irrespective and substantially independently of the rate at which receptacles are delivered to the loading station wherefore the delivery of receptacles can be interrupted without affecting operation of the slicing mechanism, and that enables loaves of the product to be arranged along the feed path thereof consecutively so that there is no down time required for loading.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

As indicated hereinbefore, the apparatus is especially suited for slicing and packaging food products such as meat and the like, and in general terms a mass of such product is fed to a slicing mechanism which subdivides the product into slices that are stacked delivered groups (three slices per group, for example) and each such group is placed within a receptacle therefor which may be a enables foil container of the type in which TV dinners are packaged for sale to the consumer through retail outlets.

The apparatus functions automatically to slice, stack and discharge each stack or group of slices into a receptacle therefor upon demand which is defined by the presence of an empty receptacle at a loading station. Control is effected by counting each slice cut by the slicing mechanism of the apparatus, and by interrupting movement of the food product mass into the slicing mechanism after a predetermined number of slices has been collected in stacked form in the accumulator mechanism. The movement of an empty container into the loading station is sensed. and in response to its presence thereat the stacked group of slices is discharged into the receptacle by the accumulator mechanism, and the movement of the food product into the slicing mechanism is reinitiated so that a successive cycle of operation is commenced.

An embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is essentially a block diagram depicting apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation ofthe apparatus with cover removed so as to illustrate the drive mechanism associated with the accumulator grids;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2:

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, broken transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is essentially a broken side view in elevation of the apparatus taken from the side opposite to the FIG. 2 illustration thereof and with the cover removed to show a portion of the material slicing and feed mechanisms.

In terms of its overall function, the apparatus is old and more particularly in this reference it includes slicing mechanism for cutting or subdividing the mass of material into slices and feed mechanism for advancing such mass of material to the slicing mechanism for such subdivision thereby. Portions of each such mechanism are included in the drawings so as to establish the relationship thereof with the specifically novel features that in a general sense constitute means for accumulating predetermined numbers of slices into groups thereof and for automatically discharging each such group into a receptacle therefor in response to the presence of such receptacle at a loading station. As concerns the slicing and feed mechanisms, a detailed explanation ofeach may be found in said prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,724 and No. 2,752,968, and insofar as any of such patent disclosures may be pertinent herein they are intended to be incorporated by this reference.

The apparatus is generally depicted in a functional sense in FIG. 1, and referring thereto it will be seen that a conveyor mechanism 10 is provided which is operative to deliver a succession of receptacles 11 one after another into a loading station therealong generally denoted with the numeral 12. The conveyor mechanism 10 may be wholly conventional and may take the form of an endless belt entrained about spaced apart drums (not shown) at least one of which is driven so as to effect movement of the belt in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1. In the particular apparatus being considered, the conveyor mechanism 10 may operate continuously so that there is no interruption in the movement of successive receptacles toward, through and away from the station 12. The receptacles 11 may take any suitable form, and in a particular instance thereof are metal foil containers used prevalently in the packaging of foods (TV dinners, for example) for distribution and sale to the consumer through chain stores and other retail outlets.

Accumulator mechanism 13 is located along the conveyor mechanism 10 adjacent the loading station 12, and it is operative to receive a stack or group 14 of slices thereon and discharge each such group into a receptacle 11 advanced into the station 12. In FIG. 1 a receptacle 11 is shown which is being transported by the conveyor mechanism 10 away from the station 12 after receiving a stack 14' of slices from the accumulator mechanism 13. As respects the present invention, any suitable number of slices may be used to define each group 14 thereof and in the particular apparatus being considered the number of slices forming a group or stack thereof can be selectively changed, as explained hereinafter, and in the adjusted position shown it provides three slices for each stack. The apparatus is also useful with a great variety of products requiring subdivision into slices, and especially food products such as masses of boned or boneless meat formed into a compact mass for slicing.

The accumulator mechanism 13 in the form thereof shown comprises a pair of grids l5 and 16 that are selectively movable between the generally planar slice-receiving position shown and a discharge position in which they separate so as to discharge or drop a stack 14 into a container 11 supported therebelow in the loading station 12. In nore particular terms, the grids l5 and 16 are supported for rotational displacement in opposite angular directions (as indicated by the arrows associated therewith) and are respectively equipped with center shafts l7 and 18journaled for rotation and connected to drive mechanism, as will be described in greater particularity hereinafter, which is diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 1 by the broken lines 19. Also located along the conveyor mechanism adjacent the loading station 12 is sensor means 20 operative to sense or determine the presence ofa receptacle 11 in a position at the loading station 12 so as to receive a stack or group 14 of slices from the accumulator mechanism 13. The sensor 20 may be of any conventional type as, for example, either a photosensitive or ultrasonic detector.

The output signal generated by the sensor 20 is delivered to the input terminal of an amplifier 21 that produces an amplified replica of the input signal thereto that is transmitted via a conductor therefor to the input terminal 03 of a logic module 22. The logic module produces in response thereto an output signal at terminal 04 which is delivered to the input terminal of an impulse amplifier 23 producing an output signal used to energize a relay 24 controlling a clutch solenoid 25 forming a part of the drive mechanism 19 by means of which rotation of the s stacking grids and 16 is effected between the receipt and discharge positions thereof. An indicator light 26 may be associated with the amplifier 21 so as to provide visual indicia that the sensing means is operative. The amplifiers 21 and 23 and logic module 22 may be conventional integrated circuits having the required functional characteristics.

Considering a cycle of operation of the accumulator mechanism 13 as the conveyor mechanism 10 advances successive receptacles 11 into the loading station 12, the sensor is located so that it senses the presence of a receptacle 11 in the loading station 12 when such receptacle is in position to receive a stack 14 of slices from the accumulator mechanism 13. The presence of such receptacle energizes the sensor 20 which delivers a signal to the amplifier 21, which in turn delivers an amplified replica thereof to the logic module 22 that functions to provide a pulse output to the impulse amplifi- The amplifier, in turn, generates an output signal of sufficient duration and magnitude to energize the stacking grids relay 24 which then actuates the clutch solenoid controlling a clutch causing the drive mechanism 19 to rotate the shafts l7 and 18 and grids l5 and 16 respectively associated therewith in opposite directions through angular displacements of 180, thereby causing the stack 14 of slices to be dropped into the underlying receptacle 11. Such cycle of operation is repeated each time a receptacle 11 is moved into a position within the loading station 12 to be detected by the sensor 20, provided that an input signal is also present at terminal 01 of the logic module 22 (as explained hereinafter) because before an output signal pulse can appear on terminal 04 of the logic module, input signals must be present both at terminals 0l and 03 thereof.

The feed mechanism shown in part in FIG. 1 is generally denoted with the numeral 27, and it is operative to advance a mass of material to the slicing mechanism when then subdivides the material into slices from which the groups or stacks 14 are formed. The slicing mechanism, as explained in the aforementioned patents, operates continuously to cut or subdivide the material for as long as the material is advanced thereto. Evidently then, interruption of the delivery of slices to the accumulator mechanism 13 is effected by intermittent operation of the feed mechanism 27.

This mechanism includes a cam 28 that is continuously rotated and is ridingly engaged by a cam follower 29 supported at the end of one arm of a bell crank 30 pivotally mounted at 31 for reciprocable angular displacements thereabout. At the end of its other arm, the bell crank is equipped with a helical tension spring 32 that biases the crank in a counterclockwise direction to cause the follower 29 to engage the cam 28. A sector gear 33 alternately displaceable in angularly opposite directions about a center 34 is so displaced by a crank plate 35 connected with the gear so as to rotate therewith and a link 36 connecting the crank plate 35 with the bell crank 30. The sector gear 33 meshingly engages a pinion gear 37 constrained upon a shaft 38 so as to angularly drive the same. The shaft 38 provides the input motion to an overrunning clutch mechanism 39 that drives the components in the particular direction required to advance the mass of food product to the slicing mechanism.

As indicated hereinbefore, such components and their interrelationship are generally old, and specific details concerning the same are presented in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,724 and in this connection FIG. 3 thereof may be considered. Generally summarizing the operation. however, the cam 28 rotates continuously and for each complete 360 rotational cycle thereofthe bell crank 30 effects one operating cycle in which it is displaced in a counterclockwise direction because of a fall along the cam and the biasing force of the spring 32; and after such fall moves past the follower 29, the bell crank is returned to the position shown.

Such angular displacement of the bell crank 30 causes the sector gear 33 to be displaced in a clockwise direction about the pivot center 34 thereof because of the connection of the crank plate 35 with the bell crank 30 through the link 36. As a consequence, the gear 37 and shaft 38 are displaced in a counterclockwise direction, with the result that the overrunning clutch 39 causes the product feed components to advance a predetermined linear distance equivalent to the thickness of one slice which is directly proportional to the angular displacement of the sector gear 33, drive gear 37 and shaft 38. Return of the bell crank 30 to the position shown returns the sector gear 33 to its initial position, and reverse displacement of the drive gear 37 and shaft 38 does not influence the product feed components because of the operating characteristics of the overrunning clutch 39. Therefore, for each cyclic reciprocation of the bell crank 30, the product feed components and product controlled thereby are advanced a distance of one-slice thickness to the slicing mechanism so that a slice can be cut therefrom.

Associated with the feed mechanism 27 are means operative to interrupt the delivery of slices from the slicing mechanism to the accumulator mechanism 13 whenever a group of slices comprising a predetermined number thereof has been accumulated on the mechanism 13, and for reinitiating delivery of slices to the accumulator mechanism following discharge of a group 14 therefrom into a receptacle 11. In particular terms, such means is operative to interrupt advancement of the product mass to the slicing mechanism, and it includes a switch 40 disposed in proximity to the bell crank 30 and which may be a normally' open magnetic reed switch adapted to be closed by movement into juxtaposition therewith of a magnet 41 mounted upon the bell crank 30 so as to be angularly displaceable therewith. During each cycle of operation of the bell crank 30, the counterclockwise displacement thereof brings the magnet 41 into sufficiently close adjacency with the switch 40 that the switch is closed, whereupon a circuit is completed from terminal 06 and of the logic module 22 to terminal 01 of a counting module 42 which may be a conventional integrated circuit providing a gating functron.

The module 42 has a plurality of output terminals (04 through 07) selectively connected through a four-position count selector switch 43 to the input terminal 01 of the logic module 22. The positions of the switch 43 respectively correspond to the number of counts to be tallied by the count module 42 before an output pulse is delivered thereby to the logic module 22; and in the apparatus being considered the count selection is from 1 through 4 slices; and since the switch is set on position 03, the count module 42 must tally three slices (cyclic closings of the switch 40) before it delivers an crank 30. Ordinarily, the stop dog 47 is maintained by the solenoid 45 in the inactive position shown in which it does not interfere with the cyclic angular displacement of the bell crank 30 enforced thereon by the cam 28.

However, when the feed relay 44 is energized, the consequent actuation of the solenoid 45 causes the stop dog 47 to engage the stop 48and thereby prevent the bell crank 30 from cycling (i.e., moving in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG, 1.) Evidently then, as soon as the count module 42 tallies three cyclic displacements of the bell crank 30, it corresponds to three slices being cut by the slicing mechanism and stacked upon the accumulator 13. The output signal then transmitted by the count module 42 to the logic module 22 causes it to energize the feed relay 44, whereupon the solenoid 45 effects displacement of the stop dog 47 into a position in which it engages the stop or latch 48, thereby interrupting displacement of the product mass by the feed mechanism 27 to the slicing mechanism.

This condition pertains with the slicing mechanism simply idling until the presence of a receptacle 11 is sensed by the sensor 20 as heretofore described, whereupon the resultant signal transmitted by the amplifier 21 to the terminal 03 of the logic module 22 causes it to provide an output signal pulse at the terminal 04 for delivery to the impulse amplifier 23 which, through the relay 24 and solenoid 25, causes the accumulator mechanism 13 to deposit such stack in the underlying receptacle.

The output pulse from terminal 06 of the impulse amplifier 23 is also delivered through a reset switch 49 to the reset terminal 03 of the count module 42, whereupon the count module is conditioned to start another count cycle. When this occurs, the consequent change in the signal appearing at terminal 01 of the logic module 22 terminates the output signal therefrom at terminal 07, whereupon the feed relay 44 is deenergized, the solenoid 45 deactuated, and the stop dog 47 returned to its inactive position so that the feed mechanism again becomes operative for another cycle.

The reset switch 49 normally connects the output terminal of the impulse amplifier 23 with the reset terminal 03 of the count module 42 so that the count module is reset to its zero position whenever the impulse amplifier is energized. However, the cyclic operation of the apparatus may be initiated at any time by manual operation of the reset switch 49 to momentarily connect the output terminal 06 of the logic module 22 with the reset terminal 03 of the count module 42. The signal voltage thereby delivered to the count module 42 is operative to reset the same.

Although the various signal voltages used in the apparatus may vary in accordance with the particular components employed, it may be advantageous to consider illustrative values. Thus, in the particular apparatus being considered, a positive 20-volt DC potential is present at terminal 06 of the logic module 22 and is applied to terminal 0! of the count module 42 each time that the switch 40 is closed. A positive potential of approximately 4volts DC is present at terminal 01 of the logic module 22 until the appropriate number of slices has been counted by the module 42, at which time the signal voltage transmitted to terminal 01 of the logic module 22 drops to a positive potential'of about l-volt. As explained heretofore, the feed relay 44 will then be energized so as to cause the stop dog 47 to interrupt operation of the feed mechanism 27.

When the proximity sensor 20 senses the presence of a tray 11 in the appropriate location at the loading station, the resultant output signal voltage at terminal 07 of the amplifier 21 jumps from about positive 0.2-volts DC to about positive l5-volts DC which is applied to terminal 03 of the logic module 22. With such signal voltage at terminal 3 contemporaneously with the signal voltage of about positive l-volt DC at terminal 0l thereof, the signal voltage at terminal 04 of the logic module will increase from substantially zero potential to about positive l8-volts DC, thereby triggering the impulse amplifier 23 whereupon it energizes the stacking grids relay 24 for a time period of about '40 milliseconds. This shortduration output signal from the impulse amplifier 23 also resets the count module 42, as explained hereinbefore, thereby returning the output signal transmitted from the count module to terminal 01 of the logic module to the normal value of positive 4-volts DC.

The drive mechanism 19 by means of which the grids l5 and 16 are rotated between the receipt and discharge positions thereof is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and as illustrated in these FIGS. the shafts l7 and 18 are journaled for rotation in elongated circumjacent bearings 50 and 51 supportedin frame structure 52. At their inner ends the shafts l7 and 18 are equipped with bevel gears 53 and 54, respectively, that are driven by gears 55 and 56 that are mounted upon a drive shaft 57 so as to be rotated thereby. Accordingly, the shafts 17 and I8 and stacking grids l5 and 16 respectively associated therewith are rotated in opposite,direc'tions as heretofore explained. I

The shaft 57 is journaled for rotation in the frame structure 52 and is drivingly connected through an angle-accommodating coupling to one end of a shaft 58 which, at its opposite end, is connected through a similar coupling to a stub shaft 59 supported for rotation in bracket components 60 and 6!. The stub shaft 59 has a gear 62 pinned thereon that meshingly engages a gear 63 comprising a part of the output section of a one-revolution clutch 64 having an input section adapted to be continuously driven by a shaft 65 journaled for rotation in the aforementioned bracket component 60 and a bracket component 66 spaced therefrom, and equipped with ajbevel gear 67 driven by a mating bevel gear 68 mounted upon an input shaft 69 that is continuously rotated by means of a drive gear 86 which in turn may be driven by the main drive motor of the slicing apparatus.

The one-revolution clutch 64 may be completely conventional and the ration of the gears 62 and 63 is such that when the smaller gear 63 makes one complete revolution, the larger gear 62 makes half a revolution so that the grids l5 and 16 are angularly displaced through 180. Ordinarily, the continuously driven input section of the clutch 64 is disengaged from the output section thereof, and this condition obtains until the aforementioned solenoid 25 is energized whereupon the plunger 70 thereof is displaced against the biasing force of the helical tension spring 71 to disengage the pivotal latch 72 from the stop 73 of the clutch, thereby enabling the input, section to drive the output section. The driving engagement is, limited to one revolution because the solenoid 25 is only momentarily energized (for a period of 40 milliseconds in accordance with the specific signal voltage valves used herein) so that the latch 72 is in position to be engaged by the stop 73 before the output section of the clutch has made a complete revolution.

Although details of the slicing and feed mechanisms are available in the aforementioned patents, and particularly US. Pat. No. 3,358,724, certain features thereof are found in FIG, 5 for convenience of the present description. The slicing mechanism includes a rotatable cutting blade or disc 74 mounted upon a shaft 75 that is rotatably driven by a drive assembly (not shown) through a slicing head 76 which itself is supported for rotation about a center defined by a shaft 77 equipped with a sprocket 78 about which is entrained a drive chain 79 that is also entrained about a drive sprocket 80. The sprocket 80 is continuously driven whenever the apparatus is in'operation so that the sprocket 78, shaft 77 and slicing head 76 are also continuously rotated about the axis of the shaft 77. As a consequence, the cutting blade 74, which is rotatable about an axis radially offset from the center of rotation of the slicing head 76, is orbited about the shaft 77 and is operative to sever one slice from a product mass during each such orbit provided that the mass is located in the path traversed by the blade.

The means for interrupting the feed mechanism 27 is illustrated in somewhat more explicit structural form in FIGS. 2 and 5, and in the latter FIG. the stop dog 47 is shown to be supported upon a shaft 81 for pivotal displacements between the position shown and one in which it engages the latch 48 so as to prevent the bell crank 30 from being cyclically displaced by rotation of the cam 28. The mechanism 46 indicated generally in FIG. 1 includes the shaft 81 which (see FIG. 2) is affixed to a crank arm 82 biased in one direction by a helical spring 83. The crank arm 82. shaft 81 and stop dog 47 are displaceable in the opposite direction against the biasing force of the tensionspring 83 upon actuation of the aforementioned stop dog solenoid 45 which is equipped with a plunger 84 that is coupled through a connector 85 to the crank plate 82. Accordingly, actuation of the solenoid-45 upon energization of the feed relay 44 causes the stop dog 47 to interrupt operation of the feed mechanism as explained heretofore.

The particular apparatus referred to hereinbefore having the signal voltages specified would employ the following circuit components which are set forth for illustrative purposes only:

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention has been set forth for purposes of making a complete disclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

lclaim:

1. In combination with apparatus having slicing mechanism for cutting a mass of material into slices and feed mechanism for advancing such mass of material to the slicing mechanism for subdivision thereby means for accumulating predetermined numbers of slices into groups thereof and for automatically discharging each such group into a receptacle therefor in response to the presence of such receptacle at a loading station, comprising conveyor mechanism for delivering a succession of such receptacles one after another into a loading station therealong, accumulator mechanism adjacent such station and being selectively movable between receipt and discharge positions and being operative in the receipt position thereof to receive each slice of material from said slicing mechanism to accumulate such slices into successive groups and being operative in the discharge position tov discharge each successive group into a receptacle therefor in response to the presence of such receptacle at the loading station, selectively operable drive mechanism connected with said accumulator mechanism for changing the same from one to the other of the aforesaid positions thereof, sensor means adjacent such station for sensing the presence of a receptacle thereat, and control means connected with said sensor means and drive mechanism and being responsive to the former to energize the latter whenever a receptacle is delivered to such loading station and thereby effect discharge of a group of slices into each receptacle delivered to such loading station.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said accumulator mechanism includes grid structure adapted to have the number of slices defining each group thereof stacked thereon when in its receipt position and for displacing such group therefrom and into a receptacle therefor when its discharge position.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said grid structure includes a pair of movable grids oriented in generally planar juxtaposition when in the receipt position and being movable therefrom-into spaced apart relation to define such discharge position.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which said pair of grids are rotatable and displaceable angularly relative to each other between such generally planar receipt and spaced apart discharge positions, and in which said drive mechanism is operative to rotate said grids inbpposite angular directions between such positions thereof.

5. The combination of claim -l and further comprising means for interrupting the delivery of slices from said slicing I mechanism to said accumulator mechanism whenever a group of such slices has been accumulated thereon and for reinitiating delivery of slices following discharge "or an accumulated group thereof into a receptacle therefor;

6. The combination of claim 5 in which said means for interrupting the delivery of slices is connected it said feed mechanism and terminates advancement thereby of such mass of material to the slicing mechanism whenever a group of slices has been accumulated.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which said means for interrupting the delivery of slices includes slice counting means for counting each slice cut from such mass of material by said slicing mechanism, and feed control mechanism responsive thereto for terminating advancement of such mass of material to said slicing mechanism.

when in its receipt position and for displacing such grouptherefrom and into a receptacle therefor when in its discharge position.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which said means for interrupting the delivery of slices is connected with said feed mechanism and terminates advancement thereby of such mass of material to the slicing mechanism whenever a group of slices has been accumulated.

10. The combination of claim 9 in which said grid structure includes a pair of movable grids oriented in generally planar juxtaposition when in-the receipt position and being movable therefrom into spaced apart relation to define such discharge position.

11. The combination of claim 10 in which said means forinterrupting the delivery of slices includes slice counting means for counting each slice cut from such mass of material by said slicing mechanism, and feed control mechanism responsive thereto for terminating advancement of such mass of material to said slicing mechanism.

12. The combination of claim 11 in which said pair of grids are rotatable and displaceable angularly relative to each other between such generally planar receipt and spaced apart discharge positions, and in which said drive mechanism is operative to rotate said grids in opposite angular directions between such positions thereof.

13. The combination of claim 12 in which said control means and means for interrupting the delivery of slices include a count module for tallying the number of slices being accumulated by said accumulator mechanism and for producing an output signal whenever a group-defming number of slices has been provided, and a logic module connected with said count module and sensor means and being responsive to such output signal from said count module to interrupt delivery of slices to said accumulator mechanism and also being responsive to concurrent receipt with such output signal of signal information from said sensor means denoting the presence of a receptacle at such loading station to effect the aforesaid energization of said drive mechanism and thereby cause discharge of a group of slices into such receptacle.

14. The combination of claim 13 in which said logic module is an electronic component, said sensor means produces an electric signal indicative of the presence of a receptacle at such loading station, and in which the output signal produced by said count module is an electric signal.

15. The combination of claim 14 i which said control means further includes a sensor-signal amplifier connecting said sensor means with said logic module, and an output amplifier connecting said logic module with said drive mechanism to effect such energization thereof.

16. The combination of claim 15 in which said output amplifier is also connected to Said count module to deliver a reset signal thereto for reinitiating a counting cycle whenever said drive mechanism is energized.

17. The combination of claim 16 and further comprising a counting switch connected with said count module for delivering counting signals thereto. and an actuator for said counting switch responsive to said slicing mechanism so as to actuate said switch upon each cycle of operation of said slicing mechanism.

18. The combination of claim in which said control means and means for interrupting the delivery of slices include a count module for tallying the number of slices being accumulated by said accumulator mechanism and for producing an output signal whenever a group-defining number of slices has been provided, and a logic module connected with said count module and sensor means and being responsive to such output signal from said count module to interrupt delivery of slices to said accumulator mechanism and also being responsive to concurrent receipt with such output signal of signal information from said sensor means denoting the presence of a receptacle at such loading station to effect the aforesaid energization of said drive mechanism and thereby cause discharge of a group of slices into such receptacle.

19. The combination of claim 18in which said logic module is an electronic component. said sensor means produces an electric signal indicative of the pre' ence'of a receptacle at such loading station. and in which the Output signal produced by said'count module is an electric signal, in which said control means further includes a sensor-si al amplifier connecting said sensor means with said logic module, and an output amplifier connecting said logic module with said drive mechanism to effect such energization thereof,

20. The combination of claim 19 in which said output amplifier is also connected to said count module to deliver a reset signal thereto for reinitiating a counting cycle whenever said drive mechanism is energized, further comprising a counting switch connected with said count module for delivering counting signals thereto, and an actuator for said counting switch responsive to said slicing mechanism so as to actuate said switch upon each cycle of operation of said slicing mechanism. 

